Apple WWDC Highlights 6-9-25

Posted: June 9, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The hour and a half nonstop hype and ‘reality distortion field’ that is the Apple World Wide Developer Conference Keynote is over. So, cutting through the haze, what are some of the cool new features you might actually use? Although the presentation opened with a big hype for Apple Intelligence…which is running a bit behind…the various presenters did weave it throughout. As expected, the large, over-arching items though were the major redesign of iOS…which basically extends across all platforms. The first redesign since iOS 7, it is translucent, transparent, and pretty. New looks, design elements, and reimagined icons are the rule. Apple calls it ‘Liquid Glass.’ As we reported here, all the operating systems will get a unified naming system…iOS 26, macOS 26, etc…based on the year…what? You expected them to use this year, that’s half over? Nope…like the auto makers, they will have next year’s models out this Fall with next year’s model numbers.

As most of the useful features, in my opinion, are showing up on iOS..which is what most users use anyway, I will focus there…and skip over CarPlay and Vision OS. One of the biggest changes predicted, and which was announced, was to the phone app on the iPhone. Improving phone use…what a concept! the first thing they have done is pulled voicemails and calls from users together, rather like text messages. It does seem cleaner. Another change is a beefing up of call screening. The phone answers from unknown numbers silently in the background. When the caller shares their name and reason for the call, the phone rings…unless you have ringing off like I do! 

A really cool feature is Hold Assist. The iPhone detects crappy hold music, and automatically mutes it. The call stays connected, and you can continue using your phone for other stuff while it holds its place in the queue. When an agent finally answers, they are asked to hold a moment, and you are connected with them. 

Messages is getting some updates, too. You can now select backgrounds (like Facebook Messenger has) on group messages that all can see..including from your photo library or you can make an image from Apple’s Image Playground. They also have added polling and using Apple Cash in groups…so you can send or get cash…say to divvy up paying for lunch. By the way, like with the phone app, unknown texters are sent to a dedicated area so as not to bother, BUT with time sensitive messages like ‘your table is ready’ or a verification code, you will see those right away. 

In messaging and the phone app, Live Translation can translate a caller speaking or typing in a different language on the fly, which will be way cool if you are traveling. 

Apple Wallet gets more car keys for supported cars and driver licenses and even a digital ID for your US passport. Apple claims that you can use these at TSA checkpoints within the US, or in-apps. Boarding passes now include indoor mapping to help you get to your connecting flight without leaving the boarding pass…and Find My is built in too…to track your checked luggage. 

Apple Watch gets the same Liquid Glass look, and as far as I can tell, not much else. There is a sure-to-become irritating ‘Workout Buddy’ that will say crap like ‘You’re Crushing it’ during your workout to encourage you…or just piss you off. 

macOS Tahoe gets the Liquid Glass treatment, which really does look cool…the menu bar at the top is invisible now, and the mini=icons are kind of translucent…a much cleaner look. Live Translation comes to the Mac, along withe the improved Image Playground. Continuity has been improved…a great feature if you are deep into the Mac system as I am. You can start something on your Phone and pick right up on your Mac…or iPad. Here is a real feature…Apple FINALLY gives us a phone app on the Mac…which mirrors the one on the iPhone with most of the features like Call Screening and Live Translation. 

iPad OS makes all iPads that can run the new system immediately more useful. Apple has finally brought real windowing to the iPad. You can move them, resize them, tile them, etc just like on a Mac. There is also a menu bar at the top…translucent like on the Mac. They have now made it so you can choose other audio and video inputs…so you can use a pro quality microphone and record your podcast on an iPad if you are traveling…or just prefer to use the smaller interface. 

As noted at the top, I have skipped over Vision OS, which has some cool features…but I will be surprised if any subscribers to this report have dropped the $3500 to buy a Vision OS headset. It very well may be a great view of the future, but still a bit into the future and still very pricy.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Next MacOS Name etc Leaked; Samsung May Incorporate Perplexity’s AI; Meta Moving Product Risk Assessment to AI form Humans; 30% of Americans are Active AI Users

Posted: June 2, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference is imminent, and a bit more has trickled out. We already reported that the operating systems will assume years as part of their naming system, as in macOS26. Now, macrumors.com reports that macOS26 will be named Tahoe. Apple burned through a number of names of big cats for its OS names for years, then switched to California names….like Yosemite, Monterey, and Sonoma. Along with the name, Apple will bow a more glass-like design with more translucent windows, buttons and icons…thus the connection to Lake Tahoe…famous for its clarity and being able to see deep down into the water. WWDC kicks off a week from today, on Monday June 9th, at 10am Pacific. 

Samsung is moving forward on an investment in AI startup Perplexity, which would lead to the smartphone maker integrating the AI company’s tech into their devices. According to techcrunch.com, Samsung would use Perplexity’s AI brawn to power some of Samsung’s Bixby assistant features. A partnership deal with Perplexity may be sealed yet this year. Interestingly, Apple has also thought about adding Perplexity as a search engine to its Safari browser. Motorola already has a partnership with the AI firm.

Meta is planning to move assessment of its products’ potential harms from human reviewers to AI, aiming to speed up the process. Engadget.com notes that Meta is wanting to have up to 90% of risk assessments taken care of by AI…even considering it in areas like youth risk and ‘integrity,’ which includes violent content, misinformation and more. Meta employees who spoke with NPR warned AI may overlook serious risks that a human team would have been able to identify. It appears the old slogan of ‘move fast and break things’ is still well entrenched at Meta.

The folks at ComScore have done the analytics, and says that 30% of US people are actively using AI at least monthly. Top AI tools on the desktop are OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and the Canva designer. ComScore notes that 67 million people in the US are using AI on their mobile devices. Top categories on the desktop…besides AI assistants…are Audio with 23.8 million users, image generation with 23 million, and designs also with 23 million. Video generation shows up with 22.4 million. For mobile, ChatGPT has the highest number of visitors. In #2 is marketing platform Octane AI, followed by Canvas, Gemini, and social marketing tool Beacons. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Apple Renaming All OS at WWDC; Tesla Investors Demand Musk Work 40 Hours a Week; Nick Clegg Whines About Asking Artist Permission for AI Use; Anthropic Launches Claude Voice Mode

Posted: May 29, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple will finally unify its operating system naming system at WWDC. Instead of different numbers for the MacOS and iOS, etc, all of the systems will use a year-based name. 9to5mac.com says they will jump 6 months ahead with the systems taking the names MacOS 26, iOS26, WatchOS 26, and so forth. Honestly, it is about time Apple fixed this. Now, people will know if they are using the latest system or not just by the year. 

A group of pension fund leaders sent a letter Wednesday to Tesla Chairman Robyn Denholm, demanding that Elon Musk spend ‘at least’ 40 hours a week working at Tesla. According to CNBC, the investors say the company faces a ‘crisis.’ The letter says “Tesla’s stock price volatility, declining sales, as well as disconcerting reports regarding the company’s human rights practices, and a plummeting global reputation are cause for serious concern.” It continues “Moreover, many issues are linked to Mr. Musk’s actions outside of his role as Technoking and Chief Executive Officer at Tesla, including his high-profile role as an architect of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).” They also asked for a clear succession plan and an outside director with no connection to Musk or his relatives. Tesla stock is down 12% this year, and sales are off over 50% in Europe.

Former British Deputy Prime Minister and former Meta executive Nick Clegg has complained to United Kingdom regulators that a push fo artist consent would ‘basically kill’ the AI industry. Theverge.com notes that Clegg spoke at an event plugging his new book. He said the creative community should have the right to opt out of having their work used to train AI models. But he claimed it wasn’t feasible to ask for consent before ingesting their work first. “I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work,” Clegg said. “And by the way if you did it in Britain and no one else did it, you would basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight.” I say, let it die, then. The union I belong to, SAG-AFTRA, has negotiated contracts which makes what seems a small ask…get artist permission first, and PAY us for use of our creative work, likenesses, and voices. That is not remotely a big demand. What Clegg and others want is the ability to steal creative work without asking permission in advance or paying. Since when is it reasonable to base an industry entirely on the theft of peoples’ creative works? An amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would require technology companies to disclose what copyrighted works were used to train AI models. Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber are among the hundreds of musicians, writers, designers, and journalists who signed an open letter in support of the amendment earlier in May. Good for them!

Anthropic has started to roll out a ‘voice mode’ for its Claude chatbot apps. Techcrunch.com reports that this lets mobile app users have “complete spoken conversations with Claude.” It will be out in English to users in the next few weeks. Anthropic is touting its use when your hands are busy but your mind isn’t. OpenAI and Google already have voice mode, as does Elon Musk’s Grok. Anthropic is offering 5 distinct voice options, and you can switch between text and voce on the fly…and can see a transcript and summary following conversations with Claude. Voice conversations count towards normal usage caps…that means 20 to 30 conversations is the most free users can expect. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Google I/O Underway; Apple WWDC Dates & Predictions; Nintendo Using Samsung Chips for the Switch 2; The Take It Down Act Signed into Law

Posted: May 20, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google I/O- The keynote by Sundar Pichai kicked off the event at 10 Pacific this morning. The CEO jumped right in to AI, summarizing Gemini 2.5 progress and developer adaption. 9to5google.com reports that Pichai is claiming that Google Search is bringing AI to more people than any product in the world. Project Starline 3D video conferencing has been renamed Google Beam. The CEO touted Google Meet speech translation, saying it is like having a human interpreter on a call. Google says Gemini Live Camera and screen sharing is coming to iOS. As with Microsoft and others, Gemini is getting an Agent Mode. It’s all about the AI agents at the moment. For Gmail, Google is going to give us personalized smart replies starting later this summer. There’s much more, but with a 2 hour keynote, some of it will have to wait!

Apple has released the dates for this year’s WWDC It will be June 9th to 13th with the tag line ‘On the Horizon.’ According to TechCrunch.com, we should see the usual teases of the updated operating systems, and a lot about Apple Intelligence. Apple is also planning to update the look of its screens in the operating systems for the first time in years. Look for refreshed icons, menus, apps, window, and system buttons…with the emphasis on simplifying navigation and control. Apple will have online group sessions at WWDC for the first time this year. 

Nintendo is using Samsung to produce the primary chips for the Switch 2, including an 8 nanometer processor custom designed by NVIDIA. Engadget.com notes that this is a move away from Taiwan based TSMC, which has built the chips for the original switch since 2017. Nintendo has been buying flash memories and displays from Samsung. The word is, they will build enough chips for Nintendo to ship some 20 million or more Switch 2s by March 2026. 

The president has signed the Take it Down Act, which beefs up federal protections for victims of revenge porn and AI generated sexual images. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senator Amy Koobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota and Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas. It makes it illegal to “knowingly publish” or threaten to share nonconsensual intimate imagery—whether real or generated by artificial intelligence—without the person’s consent. It also requires tech platforms to remove such images within 48 hours of being notified and to take steps to eliminate duplicate content. Up to now, federal law only banned the creation or distribution of realistic, AI-generated explicit images of children, while protections for adults varied by state. As a result, laws differed in how the crime was classified and penalized, leading to inconsistent criminal prosecutions. Some victims also struggled to have images taken down from websites. This legislation, which garnered overwhelming bipartisan support, marks the first federal law aimed at protecting adult victims.

I’m Clark Reid, and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Samsung Upgrading Hinges on Z Fold 7; Apple Easing Apple Intelligence Away from Siri; Microsoft-AI to Accelerate Scientific Discovery; Sesame Street to Air on PBS & Netflix Simultaneously 

Posted: May 19, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Samsung is apparently going to upgrade the hinges on the Galaxy Z fold 7 and ti-fold…but not the Z Flip 7. 9to5google.com reports that Samsung will use titanium in the new hinges, strengthening them. The tri-fold gadget…possible to be called the Galaxy G Fold will get the hinges in addition to the Z Fold 7. The Z Flip 7 will not get the new hinge, and won’t get any slimmer. It should be noted that Motorola put a titanium hinge on the 2025 Razr, and Apple is going titanium combination on their upcoming folding phone. Up to now, Samsung has used a stainless steel hinge on all its folders. Last year’s Z Fold SE got titanium, and now the tech will spread. As for the Z Fold? Maybe on the 8…

It appears that hapless Siri will not get a lot of time during Apple’s WWDC coming up next month. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple was caught somewhat flat-footed with the rapid trend towards generative AI. The net is, with Siri AI upgrades delayed, Apple will be adding Apple Intelligence to other apps, and introduce an AI battery optimization tool, in addition to a virtual health coach. Poor Siri…Cupertino is even working on implementing a new capability for European Union residents: the ability to ditch Siri entirely. Instead of having Siri as your voice assistant, you’ll be able to use third-party options. Specific third-party options weren’t named, but it’s worth noting that this will be a distinct feature from the already-existing ChatGPT integration in Siri. Honestly, I swear at Siri half the time when it fails to do the simplest things when dealing with my very simple home automation…which is primarily lights and cameras. It’s not surprising that Apple wants to distance Apple Intelligence as much as possible from Siri. 

Among a slew of announcements from Microsoft today at their Build 2025 conference, one interesting reveal is Microsoft Discovery. TechCrunch.com notes that Redmond is claiming that Discovery is a platform that taps agentic AI to “transform the [scientific] discovery process,” according to a press release provided to TechCrunch. Microsoft Discovery is “extensible,” Microsoft says, and can handle certain science-related workloads “end-to-end.” They are saying that “The platform enables scientists and researchers to collaborate with a team of specialized AI agents to help drive scientific outcomes with speed, scale, and accuracy using the latest innovations in AI and supercomputing.” Other AI purveyors are also on the science bandwagon, with Google rolling out ‘AI co-scientist’ earlier this year, and Anthropic and OpenAI also crowing that AI tools will massively accelerate scientific discovery…particularly in medicine. 

With the uncertainty of funding coming out of the present administration, Sesame Street is taking a proactive move…they will air on PBS and now on Netflix at the same time. Engadget.com reports that the beloved kids’ show will be available worldwide on Netflix and on PBS in the US. Episodes will be released the same day on Netflix, PBS stations and PBS kids. The deal also includes some 90 hours of prior Sesame Street episodes. Sesame Street had lived on HBO for the last 10 years in addition to PBS, but HBO didn’t renew its deal. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

US and China Cut Tariffs-90 Days; Apple Considering Price Hikes for iPhone 17; Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7-Bigger Outer Display; OpenAI & Microsoft Renegotiating Partnership

Posted: May 12, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

It what may have been the most telegraphed alleged deal in a long time, the Trump administration and China have issued a joint statement cutting tariffs for the next 90 days. Theverge.com reports that the Trump US import tax on Chinese goods drops from 145% to 30%, while China will reduce theirs from the 145% down to 10% on what they import from the US. In the next 90 days, the two nations will continue to work to finalize a trade deal. 

Apple is looking to hike iPhone 17 prices this fall, claiming it has nothing to do with the Trump tariffs. According to macrumors.com, Cupertino plans to try to justify the increases in cost by touting new features and design changes. It may be something of a big lift to convince people that the tariffs have nothing to do with it…even though Apple had already planned to import most iPhones from India instead of China to get around the heavy tariffs. Apple hasn’t raised prices notably on iPhones in a while, so really they were probably due for an increase anyway…but you know people will still blame the Trump import tax anyway.

A new leak points to the Samsung Z Flip 7 getting a bigger cover display…similar in size to the one on the Moto Razr. Androidpolice.com notes that even with the bigger screen, there aren’t any planned new usability features for the outside screen. That means they still won’t directly run apps on the outer screen. You can utilize a Good Lock module to increase functionality. The change in size isn’t dramatic, but at least it will be a head to head match with a main competitor. 

OpenAI and Microsoft are revamping their partnership, with Microsoft reducing its equity state in OpenAI in exchange for extended access to OpenAI’s technology beyond the previously agreed upon 2030 cutoff. Geekwire.com reports that the changed deal will also make a future IPO for OpenAI possible. Microsoft has plowed over $13 billion into OpenAI since 2019, and it provides computing capacity for OpenAI’s services. Microsoft uses OpenAI tech for Microsoft Copilot. OpenAI will continue with its restructuring to create a for-profit public benefit corporation, controlled by its nonprofit parent. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

23andMe Bankruptcy; Apple Watch May Get Cams and AI; Google Gemini Live-Is Live; CA Bill Update-Cheap Broadband for Poor Details

Posted: March 24, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

23andMe, the DNA testing firm, has filed for bankruptcy. The company intends to look for a buyer and continue to operate as a debtor in possession through the process. The CEO has resigned to bid for the company independently…engadget.com reports that the Board had previously rejected a bid from her. Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, has recommended that users contact the company immediately and demand that their data be deleted, to try to safeguard their private information and avoid misuse. 23andMe had been hacked in 2023, and the hackers got away with info on some 6.9 million customers. They were hit with a class action over it a year later. 

Although some Apple Intelligence features have been delayed until late this year, with analysts dinging Apple over that…now, it looks like Cupertino is doing anything besides sitting still. According to theverge.com, they are working on adding cameras to the Apple Watch in order to enable AI features like Visual Intelligence in the next two years. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in his Power On newsletter that the cams will live ‘inside the display’ on the standard Watch, but the Ultra will have them on the side, next to the digital crown and button. What the cameras will bring is that the Watch will be able to “see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information.” We had reported previously that Apple was working on adding cams to the AirPods, so it looks like they are going all-in on Apple Intelligence. The cam-equipped Watches and AirPods could roll out in 2027. Visual Intelligence will bow on the iPhone 16’s.

Google has added features to Gemini which are pretty cool. Androidpolice.com notes that Gemini has added new live video AI features. A person with a Google One subscription can now not only engage in live discussion about a screenshot from your device, but (at least on an Xiaomi phone right now) can share their screen in real time with the AI. You can ask the AI anything about what’s on the screen. Up to now, this only was expected to work with static screen shots. No announcements have been made, so it sounds like maybe there is a rolling worldwide staggered release. 

We reported earlier that California had introduced a bill that would make ISPs provide cheap broadband to low income folks like New York has. Now, arstechnica.com reports that it has been amended with details. The Internet service providers would have to furnish 100Mbps download speeds and 20Mbps upload speeds for $15 a month. The Supreme Court has twice refused to step in and stop this, so expect California to move forward on this. and for other states to follow suit. In New York, AT&T stopped offering home 5G internet due to the law there, but they won’t be able to do that so easily in California. That’s because they offer DSL and other fiber internet in the Golden State, and still are classified as a carrier of last resort for landline service.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Apple Bows Fresh Air-MacBook Air Models; New Mac Studio Ultra; YouTube Premium Lite; Google Search gets ‘AI Mode’; Trump Tariffs on Mexico May Stifle Game Disc Production

Posted: March 5, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

No big, glitzy dog and pony show, but this week Apple continues to introduce refreshed hardware. Yesterday, we saw upgraded iPad Air models. Today, macrumors.com reports that the expected MacBook Airs with M4 chips are in the spotlight. Besides the newer, faster chips, Apple is offering a new ‘Sky Blue’ color…which will join Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. The new Air models also get a 12MP ‘center stage’ camera that keeps you centered in frame as you move around in front of the computer…handy for Zoom meetings. The new Air has a lower base price…it’s $999…with education pricing starting at $899. The Air can be preordered today and is out March 12th. 

If you are all about max power for creative work, Apple also rolled out a freshened Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. The Mac Studio starts at $3999 with the M3 Ultra, but if you really want to go nuts, and configure it with all the whistles and bells, expect to drop a bit over $14,000! By the way, the M3 Ultra is more powerful than the M4 Max…and Apple said that not every computer will have an Ultra version available. Confusing? Yes. Like the MacBook Airs, the Studios can be preordered now and will be out March 12th.

YouTube is launching YouTube Premium Lite at $7.99 a month. According to 9to5google.com, it will make ‘most’ videos ad-free. Standard YouTube Premium stays at $13.99 a month, nearly double the price of the new tier. A couple of notable changes with Lite. For one thing, YouTube Music is removed. You will see ads on music videos. You also can’t download videos or music for offline use. Besides that, Background play is not available. Lite starts out as a pilot program in the US, and will also be dropping in Thailand, Germany, and Australia, then to other countries. 

Google is rolling out a new ‘AI Mode’ experimental feature in Search that will compete head on with Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT search. TechCrunch.com says that the new mode will allow users to ask complex, multi-part questions and follow-ups to dig deeper on a topic directly within Google Search. AI Mode will be available to Google One AI Premium subscribers starting this week, and it’s accessible via Search Labs, Google’s experimental division. It is powered by Gemini 2.0. As with everything AI, Google warns it isn’t perfect and is subject to ‘hallucinations.’

With the 25% Trump tariffs on Mexico, most think of big ticket items like vehicles, vehicle parts, appliances, etc. Here’s something that may have slipped under your radar…video game software and hardware. Arstechnica.com notes that physical game discs are overwhelmingly produced in Mexico these days. Ars says this may mean that some publishers will move to an all-digital strategy. This has been a trend for some time, but the tariffs appear poised to accelerate it. Game makers that do keep burning physical discs will probably pass all or most of the 25% tariff on to you, the consumer…just like every other sort of goods subject to tariffs. Another issue: around 75% of all game consoles are made in China, which is just now seeing tariffs go up from 10% to 20% under the new Trump rules. If you are waiting on a new Nintendo Switch 2, you may be ok, though. Over half of those are produced outside of China. This could let Nintendo just ship the units built outside of China to the US and they could hold the line on price increases.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Apple-New iPads; Google Drops New Android Features; Researchers-Less Educated Areas Adopting AI Faster; TSMC to Put $100 Billion into US Chip Production

Posted: March 4, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple had teased some new product, and now we have some. Today, they dropped a freshened iPad Air powered by an M3 chip. Appleinsider.com reports that the form factor has stayed the same on the iPad Air, but the new chip gives it a 35% improved clock speed over the M1 chip version, and it also has a better Neural Engine. The new iPad is available in 11 and 13-inch versions, which are both the same size as the last models. Both continue to use Touch ID as opposed to Face ID…accessed via the top button. The 11 inch model starts at $599 and the 13 inch size is $799, and both are pre-order able now, and will be out March 12th. We still may see upgraded MacBook Airs yet this week.

Google has bowed new features for Android devices. According to Androidauthority.com, one is Scam Detection on the Google Messages App. A 2nd feature allows you to share your location with family or friends using Find My Device. They have also rolled out some new shopping features on Chrome for Android. Scam Detection for Messages uses AI to identify patterns commonly associated with scams to warn you in real time if it suspects a scam is happening. You can then either choose to ignore the warning or block and report the conversation. Scam Detection for calls remains in beta, but the beta has been expanded and it now covers all English-speaking Pixel 9 series owners in the US. As for the location sharing, you can let friends or family see where you are on a map now…that will be handy for, say, picking someone up at the airport. You have control over who can see your location and for how long. The shopping with Android for Chrome now lets you stay up to date on a product’s price history, track price drops, and compare prices. 

Here’s an interesting AI wrinkle: researchers have found that people in less-educated areas are adopting AI writing tools more quickly than those in more highly educated areas. Arstechnica.com says Stanford researchers analyzed some 305 million texts, to get this surprising result. They analyzed texts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the study. By using a statistical detection system that tracked word usage patterns, the researchers found that roughly 18 percent of financial consumer complaints (including 30 percent of all complaints from Arkansas), 24 percent of corporate press releases, up to 15 percent of job postings, and 14 percent of UN press releases showed signs of AI assistance during that period of time. regions with lower educational attainment used AI writing tools more frequently (19.9 percent compared to 17.4 percent in higher-education areas). The researchers note that this contradicts typical technology adoption patterns where more educated populations adopt new tools fastest. The scientists note that the AI help seemed to ‘equalize’ things in written communications…bringing up the level of the communications from less-educated areas closer to parity with more highly educated places. 

Although Taiwan Semiconductor has been furiously building chip-making plants in the US…notably Arizona…and has put billions into the project, it is apparently not enough for the Trump administration. Now, under threats of more tariffs from the US, TSMC will pump another $100 billion into its US chipmaking. How fast this happens or how much really happens is anyone’s guess. Both Apple and OpenAI have pledged to invest some $500 billion each into nebulous plans…apparently in an effort to avoid pissing off Donald Trump….who has threatened to not only put on stiff tariffs, but to trash the CHIPS Act, which has helped get chipmaking back to the US. Of course, since that is a Joe Biden deal, Mr Trump doesn’t like it. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Apple, Google, Meta-Share More Data With US Gov Than Ever; Major Brit Investigation into Online Child Protection; Google Gemini-Now Query Via Videos & Your Screen; Apple Intelligence Breakthroughs—Maybe 2027

Posted: March 3, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

We should all know by now that nearly everything concerning us that makes it online is shared. Now, thenextweb.com reports that Swiss software company Proton claims that Apple, Google, and Meta comply with between 80-90% of US government data requests. The trio has handed over info on 3.1 million accounts the last 10 years. Requests by government officials over that period for data on individuals has jumped by over 600%! Meta’s data sharing is up 675%, Apple’s 621%, and Google’s 530%. Data requests were up in Germany, France, and the UK, but were vastly higher in the US. Proton, the Swiss firm, markets themselves as a privacy-first alternative to others with their ProtonMail, ProtonVPN, and ProtonDrive. Proton itself saw data requests go up amazingly…they had 13 in 2017, and by 2024 got 6,378 requests! In their case though, Swiss privacy protections….like Swiss bank accounts…are kept pretty tight, so most of the requests were denied by Proton. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office in the United Kingdom has announced a ‘major investigation’ into the child protection measures of three popular apps: TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur. According to 9to5mac.com, the agency is looking at both age verification processes and at whether the apps break the law in the way they use the personal data of children. Last year, the ICO had required a number of other apps to improve protections for kids under 18. X just stopped serving ads to users under 18 and took away the ability for youngsters to opt in to geolocation sharing. Send, Dailymotion, and Viber made commitments to drop geolocation info and cut personally targeted ads. TikTok said in a statement that it operates under  “strict and comprehensive measures that protect the privacy and safety of teens”. Please try not to laugh. Reddit said to BBC via a spokesperson that 95% of its users are adults, but that they “have plans to roll out changes this year that address updates to UK regulations around age assurance”.

Google is adding a couple features to Gemini. Now you will be able to ask it questions using video and content on your screen in real time. Google showed off the features at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. Techcrunch.com notes that Google had teased these features at Google I/O last year. They say the features will roll out to Gemini Advanced users on the Google One AI Premium plan on Android later this month. 

 Apple Intelligence had a major feature drop planned for early April that has now been delayed to May. On top of that, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is now saying in his latest Power On newsletter that it looks like it will be 2 more years before Apple Intelligence gets to where ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are right now. Apple is being dinged for having lost the AI race. I think it is important to note how many times Apple has come from way behind and eaten the competition’s lunch. Remember the Microsoft Zune? How about the Blackberry? Apple made those eat their dust when they finally geared up. Also…having only messed with the likes of ChatGPT a little…it seems to take a lot of cleaning up after it to get something actually useable. There are still too many ‘hallucinations,’ in other words, it just makes crap up. I expect when Apple’s AI is really ready, it will be a whole lot more accurate. It had better be!

I’m Clark Reid, and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →